Independent participatory media for Iran

A Ministry of Science official reports that universities are no longer able to pay their utility bills and are facing a “serious crisis” in this regard.

Mohammad Hossein Omid, the head of the science ministry’s budgets and financial administration, told IRNA: “Most universities are heavily indebted to the gas, electricity, water and communications companies and are constantly being warned that the services will be cut off.”

He added that services are being cut off daily in some university departments, and they have resorted to using security officials to mediate some form of agreement to continue services.”

Iranian universities have been facing serious budgetary shortfalls, especially in recent years due to the removal of government subsidies on energy.